Three mana is the ceiling for combat tricks, and Packs Favor lacks the advantages of Awaken the Bear, Ferocious Charge, and Wildesize
For deck construction, Pokmon LV.X count as that Pokmon
And if you can gain the life back
Which is generally understandable, because phased-out permanents do not leave the battlefield
But Kaervek's Torch was the first spell to pack what would become the formula for the unnamed, lets call it proto-ward mechanic for years to follow: Spells that target it cost more to cast. This effect was introduced on a permanent in Planechase 2012 with Elderwood Scion, and the costing--more-to-cast formula generally appeared on one card per set (with plenty of exceptions) starting with Dragons of Tarkir s Icefall Regent
Although meld cards look similar to double-faced cards, they are not considered to be double-faced cards